All this talk of Lorenzo getting replaced makes me laugh. Sure, he won't get a super salary like he's been getting but any thoughts that Ducati would drop a 5 time WC who, assuming he continues his from from the end of last yr matching his team mate, is wishful thinking at best.

Exactly. But I think it's fact, if Lorenzo doesn't perform this year it will be very hard for Ducati to justify his huge salary. So let's see how he's doing this year. The performance increases every time he sits on that Duc.

I think people when just looking at Lorenzos results are probably downplaying his role in developing the Ducati as well. Maybe he won't get the amount that he's is on now but he is clearly very important to their project and isn't going to get punted for someone else.

All this talk of Lorenzo getting replaced makes me laugh. Sure, he won't get a super salary like he's been getting but any thoughts that Ducati would drop a 5 time WC who, assuming he continues his from from the end of last yr matching his team mate, is wishful thinking at best.

If Miller keeps getting a few podiums while J.Lo rides around like he did in Burinam, we might see some interesting things.

I think people when just looking at Lorenzos results are probably downplaying his role in developing the Ducati as well. Maybe he won't get the amount that he's is on now but he is clearly very important to their project and isn't going to get punted for someone else.

No doubt about how beneficial he's been to the bike development.

But let's face it: Lorenzo was hired to deliver a championship, or at least several race wins. If none of these 2 things will happen this year I seriously doubt he'll be on a Ducati in 2019, regardless of his developing skills, IMHO.

Exactly. But I think it's fact, if Lorenzo doesn't perform this year it will be very hard for Ducati to justify his huge salary. So let's see how he's doing this year. The performance increases every time he sits on that Duc.

Both Lorenzo and Ducati have already said they won't expect or pay a super salary.
Agreed he is improving each time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by synn

If Miller keeps getting a few podiums while J.Lo rides around like he did in Burinam, we might see some interesting things.

Clearly you haven't read post race interviews. Lorenzo said he wasn't aiming for a fast time and no way is he 22nd fastest in the field. Do you seriously think he's going to spend the season at the back like Melandri 2008? Again, wishful thinking on your part.

On the flip side, if Rossi gets solidly beaten by Vinales again, might we see some interesting things?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holypuck

No doubt about how beneficial he's been to the bike development.

But let's face it: Lorenzo was hired to deliver a championship, or at least several race wins. If none of these 2 things will happen this year I seriously doubt he'll be on a Ducati in 2019, regardless of his developing skills, IMHO.

I think he will deliver this yr, maybe not the championship but race wins at least.

It’s kinda pathetic how you need to chip in with a Rossi line as some sort of “Gotcha”.
If Rossi gets beaten by Vinales... he gets beaten by Vinales. They are teammates, not aiming for the same seat like Miller and J. Lo potentially.

Try to not take things so personally. These are people paid to race. Not your family.

As for Lorenzo, switching between last years and this years bikes and slumping in the back is not “not aiming for a fast time”, it’s the stars not aligning in that perfect order for Sir Jorge of Lorenzoland to be fast in that narrow window he is capable of performing in.